RESTRICTED NFL PLAYERS CRY FOUL

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

New York Giants defensive back Mark Collins testified Monday in the NFL antitrust trial that his 1991 salary of $550,000 would have been much higher if he wasn`t restricted by the league`s free agency rules.

Collins said if he had been an unrestricted free agent before he signed his last contract two years ago, several teams would have bid for his services and he would have made more than the $700,000 a year he sought.

Freeman McNeil, the 11-year veteran New York Jets running back, testified for about 45 minutes late Monday and is expected to continue Tuesday.

Although McNeil said he has enjoyed playing for the Jets, he said he wished he could have been an unrestricted free agent so he could have tested his value on an open market.

Later, Frank Rothman, the NFL`s lead attorney, showed the eight-woman jury that McNeil had made more than $7.1 million in salary and bonuses over the last 11 seasons. Rothman then asked McNeil if he thought a system that allowed him to make millions was unfair.

''Yes, it can be,'' McNeil said. ''What`s unfair is the fact that I`m restricted.''